Skills Learning Center

We found Skills Learning Center for our younger son 9 years ago. If we had to chose a pre-​school all over again, it would ONLY be Skills Learning Center. Bob and Lyndsay Ferris are the most compassionate people on the planet. They found their true calling to teach thoughtful, generous children. When you walk through the door, you’re met with a clean, organized area brimming with educational activities and toys. Plus, Bob, aka Mr. Pickles, takes a brilliant approach to tutoring math to those that are math magnets and those that are mathematically challenged (we have 1 of each). Their quality programs have offered a lasting mark on the community.

We had our child at Skills Learning Center from the ages of three to five, and highly recommend it. There are multiple elements, from life skills and Montessori-​type activities, as they master these they are moved to a more academic environment in preparation for ‘big’ school. I expect that the fundamentals they learn here will prepare them well for future education.
The school is great, a fun, caring and intimate environment — the kids tend to do very well both academically and socially, and ours was no exception, reading small books and able to tackle second and third grade math problems all before kindergarten. On the social side, lots of friendships are formed (for both the kids AND the grownups), and there are multiple activities throughout the year that involve the parents also.
Summer school is available, and brings a slightly different curriculum with a new theme each week and supervised pool time at the end of each day.

I can’t say enough about this school. It is truly amazing! I don’t know how they do it but they seem to be able to work with all the kids at each individual level. My son started at this school at 3 and just started Kindergarten in the public school system (Poway) this year. He is so far advanced that he was begging to go back to Skills. He now goes back to Skills Learning Center for tutoring so he can continue his education. It is mind blowing how much he has learned. My daughter just started at Skills and I can already see how eager she is to learn. I can’t say enough about how great Mr. Bob and Ms. Lyndsay are. My only warning is that once your kids start at this school be prepared they won’t want to leave! I have a feeling we will be attending this school (tutoring) for years to come. Thank you Mr. Bob & Ms. Lyndsay for all you do!

My 2 boys have been Seeing Mr. Bob for Math for several years. They just love him and keep asking to go back. They love the way Mr. Bob explains the Math and Chemistry so they just get it. He has moved both my boys several grades above grade level. They feel confident about their Math skills and say its their favorite subject. At one point I wanted them to stop seeing him because they were so far ahead already and they begged to go back! Only Mr. Bob! What a great tutor!

If you’re looking the perfect school, look no further. This is it!!! They offer the best education with developmentally appropriate curriculum. The environment is safe, clean, and the kids absolutely love the teachers. They are encouraging, kind, and more than qualified as they offer numerous learning objectives for all ages at your child’s own pace. The individual attention and guidance each child receives really puts this Montessori above the rest. We are sad as our son graduates to kindergarten this year but we are so incredibly grateful to Bob, Lyndsay and fabulous staff for helping to groom our toddler into a boy who will be well ahead of his peers in the fall. Thank you just doesn’t seem enough. We are truly blessed that our son had such a fantastic start.

In addition to the rave reviews about their Montessori program let me add my two cents about their EXCELLENT math tutoring. My children began seeing Bob a year ago for math tutoring and from the start we were impressed with the sincere engagement that both he and Lyndsay have with the children. The classroom is immaculate, bright, and child-​centered. In the year since they started at SKC, my children’s math skills and more importantly confidence with the subject has grown.

If you want an okay/​good/​decent Montessori, this is not it.
If you want THE GREATEST educational opportunity for your child ages 3 – 6, CALL. THEM. NOW.
Lyndsay and Bob are not only my child’s educators, but life leaders teaching her lessons that she will carry throughout her life. These two world-​renowned teachers, I am proud to say, are now considered family. My daughter graduates to «big girl» school this fall and we will continue to receive their tutoring until she sails away to college. My five-​year old is performing 3^rd grade math and can read like the wind. Thanks to who? That’s right. Lyndsay and Bob Ferris.
I get choked up even writing this, because this school has made that massive of an impact on our daughter’s life, how she views the world, her respect for others, and how well-​rounded she has become.
Your life and your child’s life will never be the same after handing over your little learner into their ever changing and excelling classroom.
If they opened up their pre-​K to include all grades through high school, we would be first on the list!
You will not be disappointed. You will be in tears however when your little one graduates.
Lyndsay and Bob, there are no words, other than THANK. YOU.

When it was time for my son to enroll in preschool, I looked at a LOT of Montessori programs. Skills was the last one I saw and I knew from the first moment that it was the place for our family. The owners/​teachers, Lyndsay and Bob Ferris, are wonderful people: kind, smart, engaged and they truly love children. My son is highly-​sensitive and has a difficult time with change. They have been fantastic with him, giving him the space and attention that he needed to make his way. Since the first day, he has said, «Mama, we chose a great school for me!»
The school is a converted barn on their property and is a true one-​room schoolhouse with loads of charm, for children ages 3 – 6. They have all the classic Montessori materials and they are academically-​oriented but in a way that is fun for the kids. My son has been enrolled five mornings a week for one academic year. Within two months at Skills, our just-​turned-​four year old was reading! At four and a half he’s doing first grade math. They use music to engage the children and to teach them math, geography, and culture. The outdoor space is very large and has something for everyone: little houses, a large fort with slide, swings, grass, sand, an airplane teeter-​totter. The children eat snack and lunch at little picnic tables on a covered porch.
The children all appear happy and at ease there and run up to all the teachers for hugs and tickles.
The price is among the lowest for Montessori programs and they are the most flexible that I found in terms of drop-​off, pick-​up times and aftercare. There are two other teachers as well and they are equally great. With a year behind us, I can say that I could not be happier with our choice of school and we will surely send our second son there when the time comes.

This is a wonderful place to take your kids. Both of my kids have been to Skills and enjoyed the attention that Bob and Lindsay give. Our children have excelled in school and love it. I come from three generations of elementary school teachers and cannot say enough of how great Skills Learning Center is for developmental growth.

This is an incredible place. The teachers are wonderful. Both my kids went there for math tutoring during elementary and middle school years and received excellent instruction. They were working well beyond their grade level and finding the material easy to understand. I highly recommend this program.

An excellent place for kids to learn and have fun. My daughter has been with Skills Learning Center from 3 to pre-​k and the feedback we received from her kindergarten teacher is that she was socially and academically prepared for K. My daughter enjoys going back for tutoring on a weekly basis. They way the teachers train the kids is that learning is fun for them, and this is one lesson they learn for life. We have our son currently in the same school.